Two Church Perspectives

Last Sunday I went with a group of ten people who attended Trinity United Church of Christ, a large, almost entirely African-American congregation in the south side of Chicago.  Committed to Christ and to the advancement of the Black Value System, Trinity UCC is an "Unashamedly Black, Unapologetically Christian" congregation. The Black Value System is a unique blend of culture and religion, combining African American heritage with Christian values.  We were greeted warmly as we entered the church building, though as we walked through the doors I couldn't help but notice the signs forbidding cameras and requiring all members of the media to check in at the office.  I had to wonder if the recent political drama had turned Trinity into something of a tourist spot, but I didn't see a disproportionate number of visitors.  After some singing, led buy the 200 or more members of the choir, who were all dressed in traditional African garments, the message was delivered by Rev. Otis Moss III, a charismatic young preacher who had recently taken over pastoral duties at Trinity following the Rev. Jeremiah Write scandal.  The message was passionately delivered and followed by a spontaneous alter call, and though service lasted nearly three hours, it never grew tedious.

The following Sunday (sept 29) I attended Reba Place Fellowship, an intentional community within a Mennonite congregation located in Evanston, a suburb north of Chicago.  Reba Place Fellowship began as a VS unit that developed into a permanent intentional community in the late 1950's.  The members of the Fellowship all lived together and shared a common purse in an attempt to return to the community style living of the first disciples.  In the 1970's, a charismatic preacher from Houston brought spiritual reform to the community, though this caused some older members to leave and eventually caused problems due to some authoritarian household and pastoral relationships.  This led to the formation of Reba Place Church, a congregation that now contains nearly 300 members, and is independent from Reba Place Fellowship, although the 30-45 members of RPF are members and attend RPC.

The church service took place in a converted taxi-repair shop, although this was impossible to tell from the inside.  The service included hymns, praise and worship songs, and even a congregational dance.  The sermon was then given by Nancy Bedford, a theology professor. Once the service concluded, we ate lunch with some of the members of RPF.  We were also given a tour of the Community before the 2 hour train ride home.

This past week has been spent mostly in the Faith House or the church, listening to speakers who come to have conversations with us about things like conflict resolution, teaching English as a second language, cultural differences and theology.  On Thursday I worked at a community garden, weeding and picking up trash.  That evening we practiced solitude.  No one was allowed to talk or use any sort of electronics.  I spent some of the time by myself downtown, and the rest reading or journaling.

And now I start my last week in Chicago.  The Brazil team leaves one week from today (Oct. 6), and I will try to get one more blog posted before I leave.